What does "hitherto" mean?
Existing or occurring before now; former, preceding, previous.
Hitherto
/ˌhɪðəˈtuː/ adj, adv
adj, adv ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Existing or occurring before now; former, preceding, previous.
- Grammar: hitherto is listed as adj, adv.
- Nearest alternatives: heretofore, aforetime, already, as of yet.
- Useful contrasts: henceforth, still, hereafter.
- Usage evidence: The history of all hitherto existing societies is the history of class struggles.
How to use "hitherto"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "hitherto" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "hitherto" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "hitherto" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "hitherto" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "hitherto" is acting as adj, adv in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "heretofore" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "hitherto", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Adjective
- 1 Existing or occurring before now; former, preceding, previous. archaic, not-comparable
"At the same time, then, that the categorical imperative can enjoin nothing without liability to exception but disinterested obedience to itself, it will have no lack of definite content. The particular duties which it enjoins will at least be all those in the practice of which, according to the hitherto experience of men, some progress is made towards the fulfilment of man's capabilities, or some condition necessary to that progress is satisfied."
Adverb
- 1 Up to this or that time. also, formal, not-comparable
"All men att the begynnynge⸝ ſett forth goode wyne⸝ And when men be dronke⸝ then thatt which is worſſe: Butt thou haſt kept backe the goode wyne hetherto."
- 2 Up to this place. archaic, literary, not-comparable
"Hither to ſhalt thou come, but no further, and here ſhalt thou laye downe thy proude and hye wawes.^([sic – meaning waves])"
- 3 In speech or writing: up to this point; thus far. archaic, literary, not-comparable
"The great man dovvne, you marke his fauourite flyes, / The poore aduanc'd, makes friends of enemies, / And hetherto doth loue on fortune tend, / For vvho not needes, ſhall neuer lacke a friend, / And vvho in vvant a hollovv friend doth try, / Directly ſeaſons him his enemy."
- 4 Synonym of hereto (“regarding this subject; to achieve this result; to this end”). not-comparable, obsolete
"And the eſpeciall intent of this meeting is, to receive our Biſhops directions for the adminiſtration of the Sacraments and Preaching, as his Articles informe us. Hitherto, if I can but hold me by my text, I hope not to fall into impertinencies."
Adverb
- 1 used in negative statement to describe a situation that has existed up to this point or up to the present time wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"The history of all hitherto existing societies is the history of class struggles."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "hitherto"?
Common synonyms include: heretofore, aforetime, already, as of yet, as yet, as yet.
How do you use "hitherto" in a sentence?
The history of all hitherto existing societies is the history of class struggles.
How do you pronounce "hitherto"?
Pronounced /ˌhɪðəˈtuː/.
Etymology
The adverb is derived from Middle English hiderto (“to the present time, until now; up to this point”), from hider (“in this direction, to or toward this place; up to the present time, until now”) (from Old English hider (“to here, hither”)) + to (“in the direction of, toward; etc.”). By surface analysis, hither + to. The adjective is derived from the adverb.